Renting a car in the USA and driver's civil liability.

Hi everyone.

I’ve been wondering: Is it still reasonable to rent a car in the U.S.?

Apparently, since early January 2025—and very quietly—the most important insurance coverage, namely the driver’s civil liability, has seen its coverage amount drop from $1 million to just $300,000. This coverage is supposed to protect us from damages we might be responsible for while driving. We can go decades without a single scrape (especially if it’s our fault), but anything can happen in a split second. A motorcycle appearing out of nowhere, a misjudgment at one of those huge intersections with staggered traffic lights, and suddenly we could be deemed at fault for the accident. We’d then have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s medical expenses. Given what hospitals charge... it can easily exceed $300,000 and turn into a nightmare in no time!!! Plus, anyone who’s driven on American roads has seen those billboards for lawyers offering their services to accident victims. So on top of the sky-high medical bill, the lawyer will demand compensation worthy of a Hollywood movie!!!! So, is it even worth getting behind the wheel in America anymore? Well... that’s just my take! And on top of that, I haven’t found any insurance company that offers such high civil liability coverage. Chapka and others do offer coverage in the millions, but motor vehicles are excluded.... So here’s the thing... Unless I’ve "missed something," I’ve come to this conclusion: Renting a car in the U.S. is like playing Russian roulette! But maybe I’m being too pessimistic? What do you think?

We can go decades without having the slightest accident (especially one that’s our fault), but anything can happen in a single second. A motorcycle appearing out of nowhere, a misjudgment at one of those huge intersections with staggered traffic lights, and you can be deemed at fault for the accident. We’d then have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s medical expenses. Given what hospitals charge... It can easily exceed $300,000 and quickly turn into a nightmare!!!

Hi, You can also get killed in a car even with great insurance. It seems to me the risk of being responsible for an accident where costs exceed $300,000 is really minimal... If we thought about things this way, we’d never do anything in life. Anyway, personally, if I don’t go to the US, it’s not out of fear of being underinsured🤪

Hello, you probably also have insurance with your credit card—check it out.

Or you accept all the extra coverage the rental counter agent will try to sell you.

I just rented a car in the US. I took the rental company’s basic coverage (around $170), even though I usually never take add-ons at the counter. But since I was driving on a lot of unpaved roads, it included roadside assistance for flat tires.

If you start dissecting everything with rental companies, you can spend ages on it… especially since they’re all pretty much the same in the US.

Not renting a car in the States is like only visiting big cities. And even if you rent a bike and accidentally knock someone over, lawyers will feast on your back.

As for motorcycles over there, I found that riders—except in so-called rough neighborhoods—are more disciplined than back home.

Without a car, no long road trips or discoveries. It’s a choice and a debate worth having.

Hello.

You're renting from Sunny Cars because the civil liability coverage is 10,000,000 €.

Have a good day. Jacques.

Hi, Thanks for the info. This broker does indeed offer real coverage. We’d searched a lot but somehow missed this site! Have a great day.

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding your conclusion... And I didn't really get the point, either.

Having a bit of trouble understanding your conclusion... And especially didn't get the point.

The point? Not encouraging people to spend unnecessarily. My conclusion? When it comes to insurance, I’ve always gone for the mandatory minimum. I’d rather put the money elsewhere... but if you’ve got more than you need, the problem doesn’t exist—let’s just make insurers richer. Otherwise, living means taking risks. For your last trip, were you well insured?

Okay, everyone chooses their own priorities. I always get good insurance for everything, including the car.

And most importantly, travel insurance that covers what they call "extreme sports." Standard insurance often forgets that you’re not covered if you go skiing, mountain biking, paragliding, or even trekking in the USA!... Plus, on a trip this expensive, I’m not sweating an extra 100 €.

There are daily stories of accident victims facing insane bills—80K for a broken leg, 300K after an allergy gone wrong that turned into a nightmare, etc...

Having a bit of trouble understanding your conclusion... And especially didn't get the point.

The point? Not encouraging people to spend unnecessarily. My conclusion? When it comes to insurance, I’ve always gone for the mandatory minimum. I’d rather put the money elsewhere... but if you’ve got more than you need, the problem doesn’t exist—let’s just make insurers richer. Otherwise, living is all about taking risks. For your last trip, were you properly insured?😏

Hey, I’ll admit I struggle to understand people who take out travel insurance. I never get any, and it wouldn’t have made a difference when I had a major issue in Colombia where thousands of fire ants stung my feet (since I was partying, I didn’t notice right away—or even in the days after—because local pharmacists blamed the swelling on the heat, saying it wasn’t compatible with Europeans). It was a buddy, an anthropologist working in the Amazon rainforest, who alerted me when I showed him photos of my feet and hands—they looked like Hulk’s. 😂 I could’ve died because I had an anaphylactic shock that could’ve made my heart explode. Well, I still got on my flight and got out of there (I would’ve done the same even on my knees). I just had less room for my legs on the plane because my feet had tripled in size (same for my hands). 😏

And also because on a trip that costs this much, I’m not going to quibble over 100 euros.

Yeah, it’s a drop in the bucket.

Insurance always seems useless until the day you need it.

Usually, we start taking it seriously as we get older or when we get sick—when we realize we’re not immortal. A heart attack, a stroke, a sudden hemorrhage, peritonitis in some countries, and it’s a one-way ticket to oblivion or a lifetime paying off medical bills if you don’t have insurance.

Some people stay eternal adolescents.

In the case of the United States, car rentals, and driver civil liability, the issue isn’t just about yourself—it’s about others. The at-fault driver won’t be able to escape their responsibilities. And this country is *extremely* litigious.

Some people will forever remain adulescents.

Ah, yes, that’s true—some will always stay adulescents… while others are forever stuck in their stiff, uptight seriousness. I’ve chosen my side: the side of carefree living, laughter, and freedom. While some check off boxes and want to control everything down to the millimeter, I improvise, I live. Adulescence might just be refusing to become dull—and you know what? That’s a luxury I happily allow myself. 😎

You do as you please.

You're completely free. You just have to accept the consequences.

Besides, you see the world in black and white, which is paradoxical for someone who refuses to be dull.

Or rather, to grow old?

You do as you please.

You're completely free. You just have to accept the consequences.

Besides, you see the world in black and white, which is paradoxical for someone who refuses to be dull.

Or rather, to grow old?

Oh, don’t worry about it—I handle the consequences just fine: lots of laughter, real moments, and a big dose of freedom. The black-and-white thing? I’ll leave that to those who need everything boxed in to feel in control. Me, I prefer when life spills over a little—at least it’s got flavor. Growing old, sure… but definitely not by drying up in seriousness. 😄

Your reply confirms what I wrote. You see others in black and white...

Maybe you should be more open to others?

Teenagers have the advantage of not needing earplugs to sleep 😏

Your reply confirms what I wrote. You see others in black and white...

Maybe you should be more open to others?

I mostly see how the 3 or 4 of you are like the Goadec sisters of this forum 😄

You only see what you want to see. But that’s your issue, and we’re miles off topic...

100% agree with you

Not paying for insurance to save 100 € isn’t what I’d call an adventure 😄

I've taken dozens of adventurous trips deep into Africa with the Pygmies and the Kapsiki, trekked across much of the Himalayas on foot without any permits while avoiding checkpoints, crossed borders illegally, hiked through northern Luzon in the Philippine jungle, the Golden Triangle in Thailand, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia surrounded by drug traffickers... I even hitchhiked from Paris to Kathmandu when I was 20. You think I had insurance?!😏

Here we're talking about insurance that covers you for $300,000 in civil liability for driving a car on paved roads, and people still find it insufficient. I feel sorry for you living so cautiously, especially at your age!

Hi there.

It's mainly about damage caused to others. If you run over Taylor Swift’s dog, with a good lawyer she’ll make you cough up $5,000,000. Have a great day. Jacques.

Hello, you probably also have insurance with your credit card, so check that out.

Or you accept all the extra coverage the rental counter agent will try to sell you.

I just rented a car in the US and took the basic coverage from the rental company (around $170), whereas I normally never take any add-ons at the counter. But since I was driving on a lot of unpaved roads, it included roadside assistance in case of a flat tire.

If you start analyzing everything with rental companies, you can spend a lot of time... especially since they’re all pretty much the same in the US...

Hi, Do you really agree to pay $170 (150 €) just so someone helps you change a flat tire and put the spare on instead? And do you think that if you get a flat in the middle of nowhere, the insurance will actually send someone to help you? I’m really doubting that...

Maybe the spare tire is an optional extra? In case of multiple punctures, for the unlucky ones it could be worth it if the breakdown service is quick 😄

Maybe the spare tire is an option? In case of multiple flats, for the unlucky ones it might be worth it if the breakdown service is quick

Knock on wood, because in France I’ve never had a flat tire. Lucky me, because I guess the bolts tightened by my mechanic’s machine aren’t easy to loosen without the tool they have. Though there are fewer nails on the roads than in the days of horse-drawn carts

Hello, it’s true that normally I never take extra insurance from the rental company.

Well, this time, since I knew I’d be driving on more or less rough roads, plus in another state, I went for it. The guy told me that if I got a flat in another state, the repair would be charged.

But I got upgraded and they gave me a big hybrid 4x4 Jeep. Awesome. And with a huge spare tire on the back. I’d have had a hard time changing that on my own…

If I’d booked that category of car from the start, it would’ve cost me more, so I came out ahead in the end…

Has anyone actually tried Sunnycars? They claim all insurance is included—sounds weird since they’re a broker, right?

In another forum, I read that insurance through Booking was much cheaper than directly with the rental companies.

Insurance isn’t necessarily provided by the rental company but also by the broker. Many brokers offer additional insurance options.

It’s a bit like the insurance offered by a non-basic credit card.

In short, there may be upfront costs involved. This isn’t a solution for those without savings.

(Generally, using dirt roads with a rental vehicle isn’t covered by any insurance in the U.S., right?)

For flat tires, there are plenty of good Samaritans around. Changing a tire will cost you a smile—just like anywhere else. I’ve never managed to change a tire all the way through myself. Except in the middle of the desert... Though that’s only if there’s a spare tire...

In 2025, new cars are sold with just a tire repair kit. The donut spare is an extra... The full-size spare tire is becoming an endangered species.

It’s the same with rental companies. Some only provide the kit...

Hi everyone, just a heads-up because in any case, gravel roads are never covered—it’s a standard exclusion in the contract. Some specific 4x4 rentals might, but no regular rental company does.

in another forum I read that insurance through booking was much cheaper than directly with the rental companies

That was the case for a rental in La Réunion. I don’t know about the US. In La Réunion, I found my car with a dented door and a broken mirror after leaving it for an hour in a parking lot. For just thirty euros of "additional" insurance through booking, I was reimbursed for the damage in less than a week.

In another forum, I read that insurance through Booking was much cheaper than directly with the rental companies

That’s the case for a rental in La Réunion. I don’t know about the US. In La Réunion, I found my car left for an hour in a parking lot with a dented door and a broken mirror. For around thirty euros of "additional" insurance with Booking, I was reimbursed for the damages in less than a week.

Same thing happened to me in Colombia—a door completely smashed in the hotel garage by a customer who didn’t own up. I paid for the repair at Localiza Montería, and 10 days later, Booking reimbursed me for everything (though with Booking, it’s better to book two consecutive car rentals if your stay exceeds 30 days—it’s cheaper that way: 29 days, then 10–15 days with another reservation). Another advantage is that the rental company sees everything on the Booking reservation and doesn’t try to upsell extra stuff. With Booking, no more issues with debit cards in countries where they’re not accepted for rentals (that’s my case). And I’ve had plenty of proof that debit cards are actually disguised credit cards since the deposit isn’t actually debited.

Another advantage is that the rental company sees everything on the Booking reservation and doesn’t try to add and charge for extra stuff.

The Réunion-based rental company provided coverage with a deductible for any damage to the vehicle. Booking offered an additional policy for 30 € to be covered "all risks." It probably overlapped with the insurance linked to my credit card, but from what I’ve heard, credit card insurance often makes it difficult to get reimbursed.

Another advantage is that the rental company sees everything on the booking reservation and doesn’t try to add and charge for extra stuff.

The Réunion-based rental company provided insurance with an excess for damage caused to the vehicle. An additional 30 € (from Booking) was offered for "fully comprehensive" coverage. It probably overlapped with the insurance linked to my credit card, but from what I’ve heard, the latter often makes it difficult to get reimbursed.

If I didn’t make almost all my purchases online, I would’ve canceled my Visa Premier card a long time ago—it’s useless for travel since I pay everything in cash. I’m actually thinking of switching back to my bank’s basic card, which is much cheaper. Paying to access my own money is something that drives me crazy.

The very least a participant should understand is that it’s not okay on a travel forum to advise anyone to travel without insurance.

Apparently, some people just don’t get it until it happens to them personally. There are enough cases of people suffering serious financial loss, physical injuries, or even dying abroad because they weren’t insured. Just look at the fundraisers opened in recent years to pull people out of those situations.

And even when we strongly advise people to get insured, we know full well that tens of millions won’t read threads like this or won’t act on them.

But hey, Jojoone—and you? Well, yeah, I’ll admit I traveled uninsured for nearly 40 years. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. Deep down, once I realized luck was often on my side in life (taps forehead), I decided to let it handle my case. That said, there were a few close calls.

As Atila hinted, when you get older, you start fearing everything, and that might be why I was insured for my last two trips.

At the end of the day, everyone’s a little right in this discussion, but when you know thousands of people are reading your advice, it’s not responsible to tell them to rely on luck instead of planning and being prepared.

The very least a participant should understand is that it’s not okay on a travel forum to advise anyone to travel without insurance.

Apparently, some people don’t get it until they’re personally affected. There are enough cases of people suffering serious financial loss, physical injuries, or even dying abroad because they weren’t insured. Just look at the fundraisers opened in recent years to pull people out of these situations.

And even when we strongly advise people to get insured, we know full well that millions won’t read these threads or take them seriously.

But Mr. Jojoone, what about you? Well, yeah, I admit I traveled uninsured for nearly 40 years. The thought never even crossed my mind. Deep down, once I realized luck was often on my side in life (taps forehead), I decided to let it handle my case. That said, there were a few close calls.

As Atila hinted, when you get older, you start fearing everything, and that might be why I was insured for my last two trips.

At the end of the day, everyone has a point in this discussion, but when you know thousands are reading your advice, it’s not responsible to suggest relying on luck instead of planning and being prepared.

Oops, I’m replying even though this post wasn’t directed at me Two pages are easy to read, and Djalma never advised traveling without insurance—at least not in this thread.

The very least a participant should understand is that it’s not okay to advise anyone on a travel forum to go on a trip without insurance.

First, reread my initial message. The others have disappeared. Everywhere I’ve gone—whether with my own vehicle or when I’ve rented one—I’ve always had civil liability insurance; it’s a no-brainer. Being responsible for an accident where the costs exceed $300,000 (which is what this thread is about) *can* happen—nothing’s impossible, especially in the US ;). But in my opinion, the probability is as low as winning $50 million in the lottery or getting hit by a roof tile in high winds... After that, it’s up to each person to decide based on their fears and the thickness of their wallet. For outdoor activities (mountaineering, climbing, high-mountain trekking, kayaking, paragliding, etc.) and the risks of accidents or illness during my adventures abroad, I’ve never taken out specific insurance—I’ve just limited the risks as I’ve gotten older. But I’ve never advised anyone to follow my example, let’s be clear...

As Atila implied, when you get old, you're afraid of everything

That’s not what I was implying...

I meant that as we age, we generally become wiser.

In the sense that we think more about what we do and gain experience.

Not much to do with fear.

When you know thousands of people are reading you, it’s not reasonable to advise relying on luck rather than foresight and planning.

It’s mostly about making the reader aware that if they decide to skip buying insurance, it could cost them *a lot*.

And *a lot* in the USA isn’t 10,000 €...

Insurance issues aren’t the same in the USA as in other countries.

I never buy additional insurance elsewhere—my credit card coverage is enough for me. For this country, I took out medical insurance (I didn’t face the issue of low driver’s civil liability coverage at the time).

The reader should have all the facts. One country, one set of concerns—another country, it’ll be different. How you travel and any insurance you already have also come into play.

Advice shouldn’t be given lightly. You need all the facts first.

Being responsible for a claim where the costs exceed $300,000 (the topic covers this issue) can also happen—nothing’s impossible in this area, especially in the US ;). But in my opinion, the probability is as low as winning $50 million in the lottery or getting hit by a roof tile in high winds....

I totally agree with you on many points, because that’s exactly what I thought 25 years ago when I bought my house. Getting home insurance or not. I told myself that if someone got hit by one of my roof tiles, my name wouldn’t be written on it ;) So to this day, I still haven’t insured my house, even though my financial advisor dug through my accounts and tried (in vain) to sell me one, claiming it was supposedly mandatory—which is false :D My roof tiles are so old they’re stuck forever 😄 (one day I’ll calculate how much I’ve saved in 20–30 years, or even more) 🤑

Why do you keep painting such an unflattering picture of yourself in your posts as they go along?

The least one would expect a participant to understand...

I’ll add that the least we could expect in a discussion about civil liability in a car rental contract in the United States is not to find persistent trolls talking about their so-called exploits elsewhere in the world or minor material damage to a car in Réunion or Colombia, only to end up with a falling roof tile in the Gard. For those of you concerned about the forum’s traffic, just imagine the effect this thread has on USA fans who’ve already largely abandoned this forum. 🙁

It's mainly for damage caused to others. If you run over Taylor Swift's dog, with a good lawyer she'll make you cough up $5,000,000

Hi Jacques, It turns out my credit card covers my civil liability abroad up to 5,000,000 €. Do you happen to have Taylor Swift’s address (I’d even have a little left over to bring her some flowers)? 😉

If you don't see what's wrong with your comment, I can't help you.

Hello everyone. I’ve been wondering: Is it still reasonable to rent a car in the U.S. these days? According to all indications, since early January 2025—and very quietly—the most important insurance coverage, namely the driver’s civil liability, has seen its coverage amount drop from $1 million to just $300,000. This coverage is supposed to protect us from damages we might be responsible for while driving. We can go decades without a single scratch (especially if it’s our fault), but anything can happen in a split second. A motorcycle appearing out of nowhere, a misjudgment at one of those huge intersections with staggered traffic lights, and suddenly we’re deemed at fault for the accident. We’d then have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s medical expenses. Given what hospitals charge... it can easily exceed $300,000 and turn into a nightmare in no time!!! On top of that, anyone who’s driven on American roads has seen those billboards for lawyers offering their services to accident victims. So, on top of the sky-high medical bill, the lawyer will demand Hollywood-worthy compensation!!!! So, is it even worth getting behind the wheel in America anymore? Well... that’s just my take! And what’s more, I haven’t found any insurance company that offers such high civil liability coverage. Companies like Chapka and others do offer coverage in the millions, but motor vehicles are excluded.... So here we are... Unless I’ve "missed something," I’ve come to this conclusion: Renting a car in the U.S. is like playing Russian roulette! But maybe I’m being too pessimistic? What do you think?

After all these anxiety-inducing thoughts, maybe the wisest move is to leave the driving to someone else... and just go with the flow. Local buses, if you’ve got the time, are a great way to travel stress-free, meet colorful Americans, and—icing on the cake—avoid any insurance headaches. And in American buses, the biggest risk... is that one (or more) passengers strike up a conversation. Which is already a little adventure in itself. 😄

Why do you keep painting such an unflattering picture of yourself in your posts?

Because she’s got confidence to spare?

Copyright Jojoone, today’s zinger 😎

You who worry about the forum's traffic can well imagine the effect of this thread on USA fans who have already largely abandoned this forum. 🙁

So you don’t care?

Hello.

Flowers for the dog’s grave?........😕😕😕

Have a good day. Jacques.

Working in risk management, I hope you never have to deal with a disaster like flooding, ground movement, or clay-related issues... Without home insurance, you won’t be entitled to any compensation from the Barnier Fund. If your house becomes uninhabitable, you’ll lose 100% of its value. You won’t be rehoused, and you’ll be left with nothing but tears...

That said, you’re still off-topic...

Working in risk management, I hope you never have to deal with a disaster like flooding, ground movement, or clay soil... Without home insurance, you won’t be entitled to any compensation from the Barnier fund. If your house becomes uninhabitable, you’ll lose 100% of its value. You won’t be rehoused, and you’ll be left with nothing but tears...

That said, you’re still off-topic...

Well, now you’re forcing me to reply "off-topic," and I appreciate you hoping for the best for me... 😏 My house is without a doubt the most modest in my hamlet (bought for 33,000 €), while the others around it range from 150,000 € to 300,000 €. It’s over a century old—iron bars with big screws were added in 1939 to reinforce it (photo attached). It’s built on rocks that sit above old mines 500 meters deep (the old-timers knew where to build since it’s 300 meters above the Cèze River). So, if the river floods, I’ll just watch the more modern houses get swept away, thanks to the mayor who granted building permits where he absolutely shouldn’t have 🤪. A Parisian who renovated his second home next to mine hired a "useless" handyman who, while working, moved and broke a few tiles on my roof (without telling me because I was traveling). As a result, I had leaks after some heavy Cévennes storms. That Parisian refused to listen, so I took matters into my own hands and learned from YouTube videos how to replace and reposition the tiles without climbing onto my roof (from my attic). It took me 30 minutes, tops. If I’d called someone, it would’ve cost me an arm and a leg. But I’m pragmatic and easygoing—I told that Parisian exactly what I thought of him to his face, and he was mortified. Thanks to his dishonesty, I learned how to replace and move tiles all by myself (and it didn’t cost me a thing) 🤡. And like you said, if something worse happens to my house, I’ll have nothing but tears (well, I’ll pee less) 😂

Don’t feel obligated to reply

Don’t feel obliged to reply

you’re right, especially since you’re deleting replies that don’t suit you don’t worry, you’re not the only one pulling these little tricks (I know another one) 😄